Islamic Society (25 Sep 2015 NewAgeIslam.Com)

Is Eating Meat an Obligatory Act in Islam?

By Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, New Age Islam

25 September 2015

There has been an outcry over Muslims’
meat-consumption ever since the Maharashtra government announced a ban on the
sale and possession of beef in the state. For couple of weeks before the coming
of Eid-ul-Adha in India, there has been much talk over the ban both in
public and in media. It seems as if the meat-consuming Muslim has become a
stereotype. With scores of communities,
castes and religions in India, some norms, religious rites and customs will
obviously have to clash or overlap. It’s quite natural. Nevertheless, any
attempt to create communal disharmony out of this ritualistic conflict does not
augur well. Mutual understanding and tolerance is the only way out for the
forward-looking Indians. Just as it is mandatory for the Jains not to
slaughter, and for the Hindus not to consume the meat, it is mandatory for the
wealthy Muslims to sacrifice animals on the Eid-ul-Adha to distribute to the
poor in remembrance of the sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh). However, we
must try to find an agreeable solution in order to save the syncretism of our
Indian culture and peaceful coexistence in our multi-religious country without
altering, tampering or harming the basic tenets of religions.

Given this, it is gratifying to take note
of healthy discussions, respectable and tolerant attitudes and a decent way to
express dissenting views on this issue, especially on social networking sites
like Facebook. This is, of course, the strength of Indian pluralism with an
overwhelming number of citizens adhering to different faith traditions, while
at the same time, believing in ‘unity in diversity’.

While a considerable number of Muslims
suggest their community members to abstain from consuming meat, most
particularly the cow’s meat, it is quite interesting to see a large chunk of
friends from Hindu faith traditions coming out there to support Muslims’ eating
meat. In this respect, a Hindu fellow, Girija Gopalakrishnan raises a question
in a Facebook debate on the ban on meat: “The big question is: who is a
vegetarian? Milk, curd, sweets etc. are all of animal origin. The so-called
vegetarians consume only these things on auspicious days. An apple or banana is
more alive than chicken or mutton which is served only after being properly
cooked. These differences have their roots in the philosophy 'I am better than
you because I do things in a different way and my way is always correct.'……..”

In the same thread of comments, Mr.
Supradeep Mukherjee says: “What I fail to understand is how north Indian upper
caste vegetarianism and Marathi Gujju upper caste veg-Hinduism can be
allowed to stop Muslims, Christians, atheists and Hindus of Bengal, Assam (and
also Nepal) from freely eating meat in India? Also, almost all the Dalits and
lower castes of India who are 60 to 80% of Hindus who are almost 80% of India…”

There are also many people who take this
issue as merely a political gimmick rather than a religious polemic. Mr.
Jagmohan Chopra, for instance, writes in his comment that “these are all
political gimmicks, which are destroying the fabric of the country”. …..
“instead of looking into the serious problems of the country, they indulge in
playing games”, he says. In the same line of thinking, Mr. Satindar Puri
writes, “ My request to politicians is: Enough is enough. Please stop this Tamasha
(game) now. You are no better than those 'fatwa' spouting fundamentalists”.

On the other hand, moderate and
peace-loving Muslims have also come up with a tolerant, progressive and
forward-looking view on this issue. A well-known Delhi-based writer, activist and
author of a popular book on Sufism (Sufism: the heart of Islam), Ms. Sadia
Dehlvi writes on his Facebook page: “I am not for bans on eating one's
preferred form of meat, but let us understand that in the syncretic culture of
the Kashmir valley. There has
traditionally always been an understanding that beef and pork are not served on
the table. The Kashmir cuisine enjoyed by both Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims
uses sheep mutton and not beef. The Rishi Sufis of Kashmir who brought people
to the fold of Islam were all vegetarians......with the high court order; a
voluntary decision based on mutual respect by the Kashmiris unnecessarily
becomes an issue.”

Surprisingly enough, a Muslim fellow namely
Muhammad Arif Ali comes up with an idea diametrically different from the
mainstream Muslim view. He says, “ I would recommend complete ban on meat and
animal products including poultry, tannery industrial products country wide and
not just in sporadic States nor on certain days. I ask for the complete ban
because the sentiments of Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs are
hurt…..together with meat, alcohol should also be banned, not only on dry
days….”

It is good to see tolerant views on this
critical issue held by both progressive Muslims and Hindus in India. Nevertheless,
there is a misconception deeply steeped in the larger communities. That is,
non-vegetarianism or eating meat is a necessity or near obligatory in Islam.
This notion is completely wrong and baseless. It is not obligatory for a Muslim
to be non-vegetarian. A pure vegetarian can be a very good and devout Muslim.
All that the holy Qur’an says with regard to having food is: “Eat of the good
things we have provided you” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:168). This verse is very clear
in its statement that eating meat is not a necessity in Islam. The Qur’an,
however, permits a Muslim to have non-vegetarian food too, as it is mentioned
in this verse: "O ye who believe! Fulfil (all) obligations. Lawful unto
you (for food) are all four-footed animals with the exceptions named." [Al-Qur’an 5:1]

Muslims today should also remember that the
prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was not an advocate of constant meat consumption.
Instead, he warned his followers against it, as it could become addictive.
Furthermore, Prophet (pbuh) particularly exhorted his followers to abstain from
eating the cow’s meat. He is reported to have said in a Hadith, " There is
value in cow's milk, a healing quality in its ghee, and a disease in its meat'.
However, this prophetic tradition is an advisory and not a binding ruling for
the Muslims. But there are no records of the Prophet (pbuh) having eaten cow or
beef.

As for the Qurbani or animal
sacrifice being obligatory on the days of Eid-ul-Adha, it is performed
in remembrance of the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son,
Ismail, when God asked him to sacrifice the most precious thing to him. It was
none other than his only beloved son whom Allah gifted to him after he spent
sleepless nights in constant prayers, asking for a child. However, when Ibrahim
had fully prepared to sacrifice his son, God put a sheep in his place.

Prophet Ibrahim’s infinite devotion and
complete submission to the will of God are the core values that Muslims
celebrate during Eid-al-Adha. Thus, they remind themselves of the
Prophet’s willingness to sacrifice anything for the sake of God. Muslims
sacrifice the Halal (permissible) animals in remembrance of Ibrahim’s
devotional sacrifice to God and distribute them to the poor and the less
fortunate who cannot afford their meals. However, animal sacrifice is not the
core essence of this historical event. The holy Qur’an relays that God does not
actually take pleasure in flesh and blood: “their meat will not reach Allah,
nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you” (22:37).

Given the above verse, it is patently clear
that meat is not a necessity in Islam. If someone prefers to be vegetarian,
then she/he is fully allowed and encouraged. While Islam has given permission
to eat meat of Halal animals, it has not made it obligatory upon
Muslims. It is a matter of one’s personal choice and taste rather than of
religiosity. Clearly, this solemn occasion cannot be confined to only animal
sacrifice. We must engage in all virtuous and harmonious acts based on kindness
and sharing to achieve the noble objectives of Eid-ul-Adha.

Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi is a classical Islamic scholar and
English-Arabic-Urdu writer. He has graduated from a leading Islamic seminary of
India, acquired Diploma in Qur'anic sciences and Certificate in Uloom ul Hadith
from Al-Azhar Institute of Islamic Studies. After graduation in Arabic (Hons.),
he has done his M. A. in Comparative Religions & Civilisations and a double
M.A. in Islamic Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

TOTAL COMMENTS:- &nbsp 7

Dear M. Observor, Thanks for your comment.. I just quoted the Qur'anic verse and it is for the Muslims to take it the way way they wish. By muhammad yunus - 10/12/2015 12:54:17 AM

Dear Muhamad Yunus,

Agreed whatever you said, however, I don't think Muslims do it for
Taqwa. If you ask this question to thousands of Muslims Hardly 10 to 20 people will give you the correct
answer. Please come to the real world. They are doing because that is
their normal practice, in which they have grown-up.

And About Taqwa, when Muslims are 313, they all are good
enough to change the world, they are the real follower of Allah (Rabual Allameen)
and Mohound (PBUH), Now Muslims are more than 2 billion. If Muslims are the
real follower of God, Muslims would not like this.

By Mahound Observer - 10/10/2015 1:41:59 PM

There may be better ways to please God than slaughtering a cattle-head. This is expounded as below in my jt publication, Essential Message of Islam (Ch. 47) that is posted in entirety by NAI:

“As for the (sacrificial) animal, We have made them among
the symbols of God for you, in which there is good for you; so mention God's
name over them (as they are) lined up (for sacrifice). Once they fall down on
their sides, eat of them and feed the needy, and the miserable. We have thus
subjected them to you, that you may be grateful (22:36). Neither their
flesh nor their blood reaches God, but your heedfulness (taqwa) does indeed reach Him. Thus,
He has subjected them to you, that you glorify God as He has guided you; and
give good news to the compassionate ” (22:37).

The foregoing verses (22:36/37) make three clear
points. First, the slaughtering of cattle in the name of God is purely
symbolic, as the flesh or blood of the slaughtered animal does not reach God.
Second, in the material context, the meat of the slaughtered cattle is to be
eaten by the pilgrim, and shared with the poor and the needy. Finally, the real
goal is taqwa – heedfulness of God, which is also stressed in another
verse.5

In the nomadic society of pre-Islamic Arabia,
cattle head constituted the main instrument of asset. They were treated with
honor, and sacrificed to please various deities. The Qur’an permitted the
continuation of this rite, but reserved it only for God.15

Today, the pilgrim, barring exceptions, does not
personally slaughter the cattle, nor does he eat its meat or share it with the
poor (22:36). Besides, God’s bounty has multiplied exponentially and a
cattle head is hardly a cherished asset as in the earlier times. It is
therefore worth pondering whether mere slaughtering of cattle by arranging
through a bank or agent, and then a state sponsored processing and distribution
of the meat to poor nations really meets the letter or the spirit of the Qur’an
- or there could be better ways to helping the world’s needy, such as through
the generation of an International Hajj Relief Fund. God knows best!

By muhammad yunus - 10/10/2015 7:27:24 AM

The holy Qur’an
relays that God does not actually take pleasure in flesh and blood: “their meat
will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from
you” (22:37)

As above mentioned verse is fully
permitted not to sacrifice Cow and
another animal in the name of God, indeed it is not reaching him, then why does
Muslims giving too much important to Eid-al-Adha,
it is not for God, but show out. Since “Allah is one without wants and
desires” Why can’t Muslims stop killing
in the name of the Almighty when He doesn’t need all this?

You say”
it is mandatory for the wealthy Muslims to sacrifice animals on the Eid-ul-Adha
to distribute to the poor in remembrance of the sacrifice of the Prophet
Ibrahim (pbuh).” How could you misguide the Muslim folks conveying this
message, nothing is mandatory in religion specially ISLAM in another way “no compulsion
in the religion”, we all are free to do whatever we want if your soul, and
brain are accepting. If he allows we should go ahead, we need to consider out
of our religious conviction. For wealthy Muslims ought to contribute money for
creating earning/job, and education for the poor Because “Allah is one without wants and desires”.

Sultan Shahin latest article:-
Quran says “And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord
before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive”

The Quran says that Muslims should not follow the verses
literally though seek to interpret it in the best or most adequate way
possible. So Be-careful, don't be blind, as various Muslims are indeed innocent
because they are not aware of the truth, they follow what is being convey to
him.

By Mahound Observer - 10/8/2015 6:20:29 PM

Dear Yoginder Sikand and Ghulam Mohiyuddin saheban, Thank you very much for your kind and valuable comments.

Of course, vegitarianism or nonvegitarianism is not much of a religious issue. However, it is wise to be preferably non-vegitarian to maintain a sound health. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan also holds the same view as he expressed in one of his public talks.

By Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi - 9/26/2015 5:16:43 AM

thanks GRD for this...the Islamic scholar i appreciate the most--Maulana Wahiduddin Khan--is a vegetarian--and not just that, he's a vegetarian 'by birth', as he puts it.

May his tribe increase!

By yoginder sikand - 9/25/2015 8:57:16 PM

GRD sahib makes a good point. Meat is permissible but not obligatory in Islam. Also, Islam prescribes moderation in all things.